New | China’s internet users grew in 2016 by the size of Ukraine’s population to 731 million

High penetration rate, and a slowdown from double-digit growth, puts pressure on internet companies to find ways to attract users

Zheng Yangpengin Beijing
China’s 2016 internet population grew 6.2 per cent to 731 million, equivalent to the combined population of the European Union and Brazil. Photo: SCMP

China’s internet users increased at the fastest pace in three years as the abundant availability of internet-enabled smart phones spurred usage and increased the penetration rate in the world’s most populous nation, according to a report by the state agency responsible for the industry.

The Chinese internet market expanded 6.2 per cent in 2016, gaining 43 million internet users --equivalent to the population of a Ukraine or Argentina -- to put the total number of users at 731 million, according to data by the China Internet Network Information Centre. Penetration rate rose by 3.1 percentage points to 53.2 per cent, the CINIC data showed.

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